Hurricanes On Tighter Budget

ATLANTA — This is belt-tightening time for the University of Miami athletic department.

UM's expensive move to the Atlantic Coast Conference and the football team's failure to reach a lucrative BCS bowl for the first time since the 1999 season has triggered a thriftier than usual period under Athletic Director Paul Dee.

The Hurricanes received $1 million from the ACC for the trip to the Peach Bowl, a far cry from the $4 million the Hurricanes used to receive from the Big East for getting to a BCS bowl.

Asked recently whether UM's expenses will exceed $1 million for the team's trip to Atlanta, Dee chuckled and said: "Not when Paul Dee makes the budget."

"We're going to learn what belt tightening is. You have to go with what you've got. We're willing to spend when we [make] a lot of money," Dee said. "When you don't have it you have to [tighten up]."

Dee said the most important thing is to make sure players and coaches have an appropriate experience in Atlanta. UM brought 102 players, including every walk-on, which is typical.

"It's a reward for the guys to come, so we bring everybody that contributes," coach Larry Coker said. "It's something we've always done and will continue to do."

But the cutbacks begin right after that. For example, the band and cheerleaders will be busing it to Atlanta, arriving Thursday, and per diems for staff members have been cut back.

Fortunately for UM, the ACC has a bigger annual payout than the Big East, which means Miami typically makes more money on the back end. But for the first two seasons in the league, the Hurricanes will receive a two-thirds payout from the conference as part of the school's entrance fee.

"Down the road is where we'll see the benefit to joining the ACC financially," Dee said. "And believe me, there is a benefit."

UM sold about 8,000 of its allotted 15,000 bowl tickets, and as long as the Hurricanes have sold half of their share the ACC helps defray the cost of the remaining tickets.

Nonetheless, the opponent is appropriate. The former Gator will finish his college career against the same team he started with four years ago.

"I don't know how this worked out the way it did, but I think it's neat," said Berlin, who transferred from Florida after the 2001 season. "I'm going to have a lot of fun with it."

Coming out of high school, Berlin was the biggest name among one of the nation's most heralded recruiting classes. But soon after arriving in Gainesville, the Gatorade National High School Player of the Year was beaten out for the starting job by Rex Grossman, who became a Heisman Trophy runner-up at Florida.

After he transferred, the story line led to an obvious onslaught of media attention last year when Berlin made his first start against the Gators at the Orange Bowl. This time around, he hasn't really been spotlighted quite as much.

"It's a lot different now," Berlin said. "I've been at Miami for three years. A lot of my buddies that were there [at Florida] are gone now. I'm a 'Cane. It's Miami vs. Florida now. It's not about me."

WAITING ON INVITation

Berlin, who led the ACC in virtually every passing category, is hoping to receive an invitation to the East-West Shrine game or the Senior Bowl. He has heard from officials for both games and expects to hear something after the Peach Bowl.

PATA INJURIES KNEE

Defensive end Bryan Pata suffered a serious injury to his right knee during Tuesday's practice, and his status for Friday's game is uncertain. If Pata is not able to play, senior Alton Wright will likely start in his place. Pate has 14 tackles and two sacks.

There's also a possibility that Baraka Atkins, who began the season as the starting left end, could be moved back to that spot from tackle now that Santonio Thomas has returned from his knee injury.